I don’t know how you define success in writing, but for me, the gap between where I am and where I want to be is filled with hard work. There are no short cuts in this business. Whether you want to be a successful blogger or a world famous author, hard work is the key.

We read about famous authors and we see the fame and success that accompany that fame, and it is easy to forget the dues that had to be paid in order for that fame to become a reality. I have no idea how many hours in the past three years I have spent writing and working on my craft. Literally thousands of hours would be my guess, and at this point in my career I have very little to show for it…but…I have more to show for it today than I did last year, and next year at this time I will have more still, and it will happen, and did happen, because of hard work.

If you want short cuts then get a map from Google. If you want success then work.

BOOK OF THE DAY

The Writer’s Digest just released a new book and you can find it here. It is called the Complete Guide To Article Writing and I have the feeling it is a good one. Check it out.

PROMPT OF THE DAY

You know the drill. What do you see? How does this picture affect your five senses? Are you inspired?

CONTEST OF THE DAY

The Gertrude Stein Award In Fiction contest is taking submissions now. They are looking for eclectic short stories, 8,000 words or less. They are looking for oddball. They are looking for something a little left of normal. Check them out here.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Tis the season of giving, so how about giving some support to a fellow writer? One supportive note from you might mean the difference in the life of a struggling writer. What say you? Can you give that much today?

SALUTATION OF THE DAY

Merry Christmas to you all, or Happy Holidays if you prefer. Whatever floats your boat, I hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends in the upcoming days. Thank you for your support. My peers and friends mean the world to me.

For writers, as for sculptors, potters, quilters, painters, etc., the hard work is where we shine. We adore what we do because it is what/who we are. This hard work is what centers us, fulfills us and makes sense of being human. I would appreciate fortune because there are people, pets, organizations I would love to share it with….but fame on the level of J.K. Rowling? That just sounds noisy and crowded. Reading what other writers say about how much they dislike marketing (because it is “selling”) I have come to the conclusion that a lot of writers want “quiet” fame, you know what I mean? Lol. We want to be “known” but not “recognized”, so we can slip out to the store for chocolate donuts without someone taking our photo. Either way, you’re correct. Writing is hard work, but when you come at it from a place of “this is who I am”…it’s joyful work. 🙂

Meagan, you just stated it perfectly and yes, I know exactly what you are saying. I would be perfectly happy to sell 100,000 copies of my new novel and nobody know what I look like. I want to open up a writing studio for writing workshops, out in the country, just working on my craft and helping other writers….I would be the best kept secret in the writing business. 🙂 Oh I love your thoughts. Thank you!

You’re not joking that writing is a lot of hard work. A couple of days ago I figured out that I have written somewhere between 500K and a million words this year alone. That is a lot of writing my friend. I am certain that if you were to tally up what you have written this year, you’d come close to the same number! Perhaps this coming year both of us will receive our crowning achievement.

Donna, that’s interesting…I’ll have to give some thought to how much I have written this year….and here’s hoping, as you say, that 2014 will be the year we see some rewards for our efforts. Merry Christmas, Donna.

Indeed if anyone thinks that having books published is all there is to it, and the rest follows, they are in a dream reality of their own making. That is OK, so long as they do not start to blame the publisher for their lack of sales. Billy you inspire me to never give up.

I’m now glad to reply to you on WordPress. I now see that WordPress has changed the way we get into our blogs? Every time I have to sign in and wait for a verification code send to me cell, you as well?

Merry Christmas, Bill! Thanks for always being here for us with encouragement and a smile. You have helped me with your posts and I’m so glad to know you. Here’s to hard work and goals and writing!! Take care– hugs!

Christy, thank you! You are one of the writers I respect greatly…I don’t know if you know that but it is true. You are a good person who is supportive and always positive, and I greatly appreciate you. Merry Christmas my friend.

Wow, Bill. I did not know that. Thank-you. It is wonderful to have mutual admiration and respect. I know the season can be hard in some ways, so I am glad you have Bev and so many friends here. You spread generosity every day and I’m so happy to be able to watch and learn xx Yes, Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Bill-bro – to you and yours! Wishing you nothing but the best because – you deserve it! You work hard, make no excuses, and don’t cut corners.
I am gob-smacked that you write 3,000 wpd!
My goal is 750, and that is exhausting…lol..
ah, well – whatever works – you are a workhorse – i am a pussy(cat)…
lol
in any case – HUGSXXOO

Good morning Sis and Merry Christmas to you my dear. Each of us has a work load that works for us….comparing each other is an apples and oranges sort of thing. It appears to me that you are doing quite well so keep it up.